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Green Schoolyards Collective

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Declaration of Membership

The Intertwine Alliance has been working with diverse partners to support capacity and leadership as part of the Greening of Schoolyards Project. To formalize this effort, a group of organizational leaders and stakeholders in the four-county Portland metro area have developed a structured Green Schoolyards Collective to be led by groups eager to provide intentional and ongoing capacity to this effort. The goal is to provide resources, best practices, collaboration and support while connecting the diverse range of stakeholders who are working toward improving the state of our region’s school properties. Some areas of expertise we are planning to provide include grant writing, depaving, managing stormwater on-site, tree planting, establishing and teaching in school gardens and native habitats, and creating nature play installations.

Each participating organization brings knowledge and strengths to this work. Collectively, we will share our resources with the collaborative and advance the movement to create nature-rich school-based experiences.

We will do this by:

Bringing together multiple voices – school and district staff, teachers, students, parents, community groups, non-profit partners – and informing our work through communications, mutual support, partnerships, and gatherings

Advocating and educating schools, funders, and other influencers on the short and long-term value of these projects

Building sustaining relationships among stakeholders

Being a valued and accessible resource for our stakeholders and the broader community

We build this effort on the following shared values:

Empowered stakeholders – leading with an equity lens

Inclusivity and the promotion of underserved voices

Collaboration over competition

Meaningful and transformative partnerships

Transparency

Joining our Collective will add value to your ongoing work:

Improve your projects through access to proven resources and tools

Build stronger connections with groups already doing work in this arena

Raise the visibility of your programs, goals and accomplishments

Participate in group funding opportunities

Include your voice in helping to shape the larger movement

COLLECTIVE MEMBERS (ORGANIZATIONS, GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS)

Collective member organizations or individuals commit to be involved with and support the greater Collective as outlined above. If you have an interest in the emerging green schools and nature movement, either in an advocacy, program development or implementation role, this is a good fit for you.

Collective members will:

Be invited to all gatherings and can access and utilize the Collective’s resources and programs

Are encouraged to be part of the Collective’s subcommittees. Subcommittees being discussed at this time include Advocacy/Funding, Project Development, and Curriculum Development/Teacher Support (see descriptions below)

Can be a participant at Leadership Team meetings (non-voting except on specific issues)

When there is the need for membership input, can be a voting member at general Collective meetings

Will be listed on our web page and can take advantage of the Collective’s communication efforts (website and potentially newsletters and social media)

Can be part of fundraising conversations and potential shared funding requests

LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS (ORGANIZATIONS):

Leadership Team member organizations have established a track record of collaboration, peer accountability and a strong equity lens. These groups commit to a leadership role in the above-mentioned work of the Collective and will be listed prominently on the Green Schoolyards Collective web page.

Leadership Team member organizations will:

Commit to the Collective’s values, principles, and initiatives

Delegate (an) organizational representative(s) to act as voting member of the Collective; participate in consensus decision-making practices

Set priorities, shape strategy and develop program deliverables to advance the Collective’s mission

Form and lead sub-committees to carry out the Collective’s work

Attend a majority of the leadership and relevant subcommittee meetings annually

Help facilitate the Collective’s communications (with assistance from The Intertwine Alliance), keeping the website updated and maintaining messaging to stakeholders

Assist with recruiting and on-boarding new Leadership Team member organizations

Help plan, organize and coordinate gatherings for members as planned/needed

Make the Leadership Team member organization accessible to members as

appropriate

Build connections to other networks, highlighting alignment and providing mutual support